Jasminum bumile

No Image

Family:

Local/common names: Yellow , Hempushpika, Kanakchampa, Peeli- Chameli, Pitmali Trade name: Peeli-Chameli

Profile:

Jasminum humile is an evergreen growing up to 3 m, producing scented flowers that are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects. produce suckers which can sometimes be invasive. The plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Habitat and ecology: The prefers sandy to loamy, well-drained soil. It grows along with shrubberies and forests. The plant succeeds in a good well-drained loam in sunny areas, and tolerates light. This is not very cold hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°C. The plant is common in the scrub and dry valleys of the outer , Jaunsar and Tehri Garhwal between 1200-2800 m. It is also found throughout the sub- tropical Himalayas from Kashmir to at an altitude of 2800 m and in Mount Abu and the hills of South India above 1500 m. In Himachal Pradesh the plant is found in the districts of Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Solan and Sirmour.

Morphology: This is a small, erect, diffuse shrub with profuse, angular branches. The leaves are alternate, 5-10 cm long and the leaflets are 3-7 in number and are oblong or ovate. Flowers are yellowish in colour in terminal corymbose cymes. The fruits are black when ripe with crimson juice. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects.

Distinguishing features: It is in leaf all year, in flower from July-August. Flowers are yellowish in colour in terminal corymbose cymes. Ripe fruits are black.

Life cycle: The plant is in flowering stage from July-August.

Uses: The parts of the plant under use are the leaves and flowers. The paste of the leaves is applied locally in skin diseases, wounds and ulcers. Leaves are chewed in stomatitis and toothache while oil from the leaves is used in earache. Flowers are used in the form of a paste in the diseases of the eye, headache etc. It is used as an astringent, tonic to the heart and bowels. The roots are used in ringworm infections and the juice of the plant is useful in chronic sinuses and fistulas. The oil from the plant is used in the perfume and cosmetics industry. The leaves are used as a condiment. A tea is made from the leaves and bark. The wood is even-grained, moderately hard and is useful in many ways.

Market rate: Data not available